Bicycle control device

ABSTRACT

A bicycle control device includes a housing member, a control lever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator. The housing member has an attachment part for attachment to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between first and second ends of the grip part. The shift-operating mechanism includes a cable take-up member rotatably mounted around a cable take-up axis. The cable take-up member has a control cable attachment part that is configured to be coupled to a shifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator has a cylinder and a piston movably that is disposed within the cylinder by movement of the control lever member to generate fluid pressure for controlling a braking device. The cylinder defines a cylinder axis that forms an angle of greater than or equal to 20° and less than or equal to 50° with the cable take-up axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2012-007805, filed Dec. 26, 2012. The entire disclosureof Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-007805 is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle control device. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle control devicewhich can be mounted on the handlebar of a bicycle and which can controla braking device and a shifting device.

2. Background Information

Bicycle control devices are conventionally known, which can be mountedon a handlebar of a bicycle for controlling both a braking device and ashifting device (for example, see European Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2308750). Typically, a conventional bicycle controldevice is provided with a housing member having an attachment partcapable of being attached to a handlebar and a grip part capable ofbeing gripped by a rider by hand, a control lever member having a firstoperating lever and a second operating lever, and a shift-operatingmechanism provided on a first end side (the handlebar side) of the grippart. In the bicycle control device disclosed in European PatentApplication Publication No. 2308750, the shift-operating mechanism isprovided within the grip part, allowing the control lever member to bemade lighter and more compact.

Bicycle control devices are also known in the prior art that perform abraking operation on a bicycle using hydraulic pressure (for example,see Chinese Patent Publication No. M386235). The control device istypically provided on the handlebar. The control device often includes ahydraulic fluid pressure generator being disposed along the direction inwhich the handlebar extends, and a cylinder and reservoir being disposedin line vertically.

SUMMARY

Generally, it is possible that the hydraulic fluid pressure generator ofChinese Patent Publication No. M386235 could be applied to the bicyclecontrol device of European Patent Application Publication No. 2308750,which is capable of controlling a braking device and a shifting device.However, in the bicycle control device of Chinese Patent Publication No.M386235, the shift-operating mechanism is provided within the grip partof the housing member. Therefore, if the hydraulic fluid pressuregenerator of European Patent Application Publication No. 2308750 wereprovided in the grip part along the handlebar, the grip part wouldincrease in size, causing the grip part to be harder for the rider togrip. If the grip part is harder to grip, the control lever member willbe harder to operate. Accordingly, in order to avoid increasing the sizeof the grip part, the hydraulic fluid pressure generator could beprovided along the direction in which the grip part extends. However, ifthe hydraulic fluid pressure generator is disposed along the directionin which the grip part extends, the direction in which the control levermember extends and the direction in which the hydraulic fluid pressuregenerator extends will be substantially perpendicular, making itdifficult to effectively transmit the operating force of the controllever member to the cylinder.

The present invention addresses the problem of facilitating operation ofthe control lever member and enabling effective transmission of theoperating force of the control lever member to the hydraulic fluidpressure generator in a bicycle control device having a shift-operatingmechanism in the grip part and being capable of performing a shiftingoperation and a braking operation.

In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with afirst aspect of the present disclosure, a bicycle control device isprovided that is capable of being mounted on the handlebar of a bicycleand capable of controlling a braking device and a shifting device. Thebicycle control device basically comprises a housing member, a controllever member, a shift-operating mechanism and a hydraulic fluid pressuregenerator. The housing member has an attachment part configured to beattached to a handlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinallybetween a first end of the grip part and a second end of the grip part.The attachment part is provided on the first end of the grip part. Thecontrol lever member pivots with respect to the housing member. Theshift-operating mechanism is provided in the housing member. Theshift-operating mechanism includes a cable take-up member rotatablymounted around a cable take-up axis. The cable take-up member has acontrol cable attachment part that is configured to be coupled to ashifting device by a control cable. The hydraulic fluid pressuregenerator has a cylinder and a piston movably that is disposed withinthe cylinder by movement of the control lever member to generate fluidpressure for controlling a braking device. The cylinder is disposed inthe housing member at a position closer toward the second end of thegrip part than is the shift-operating mechanism to the second end of thegrip part. The cylinder defines a cylinder axis that forms an angle ofgreater than or equal to 20° and less than or equal to 50° with thecable take-up axis.

In the bicycle control device of the first aspect, the shifting deviceis operated via the control cable when the grip part of the housingmember is gripped and the control lever member is operated, actuatingthe shift-operating mechanism. The braking device is controlled byhydraulic pressure generated by the motion of the piston of thehydraulic fluid pressure generator when the control lever member isoperated. Here, disposing the cylinder closer to the second end side ofthe grip part than the shift-operating mechanism allows the grip part tobe made thinner, allowing the lever to be operated more easily. Also,because the cylinder axis of the hydraulic fluid pressure generator isinclined 20°-50° relative to the cable take-up axis of theshift-operating mechanism, when the control lever member is operatedfrom the grip part, the operating force of the control lever member canbe transmitted more efficiently to the hydraulic fluid pressuregenerator. Since the second edge side of the grip part is broughtforward and up, the grip part is easier to grasp when going up a hill.

In accordance with a second aspect, the bicycle control device accordingto the first aspect is configured so that the control lever memberincludes a first operating lever that pivots around a first axisrelative to the housing member for operating the piston, and a secondoperating lever that pivots around a second axis for operating the cabletake-up member of the shift-operating mechanism. The second axis isdifferent from the first axis relative to the housing member. In thisaspect, by separately providing a first operating lever for operatingthe braking device and a second operating lever for operating theshifting mechanism, it is possible to prevent incorrect operation and,because the axes of rotation of the two operating levers are different,to even more effectively prevent incorrect operation

In accordance with a third aspect, the bicycle control device accordingto the second aspect is configured so that the cable take-up axis andthe second axis are coaxial. In this aspect, since the cable take-upaxis and the second axis are disposed on the same axis, the controllever member and the shift-operating mechanism can be disposedcompactly.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, the bicycle control device accordingto the third aspect is configured so that the cable take-up axis and thesecond axis are non-coaxial axes. In this aspect, since the cabletake-up axis and the second axis are disposed on different axes, thecontrol lever member and the shift-operating mechanism may be disposedin any desired position, allowing the grip part to be reduced in size.

In accordance with a fifth aspect, the bicycle control device accordingto any of the first through fourth aspects is configured so that thecylinder has a cylindrical shape defining a cylinder axis. In thisaspect, making the cylinder cylindrical increases the efficiency withwhich the generated hydraulic pressure is dispersed and transmitted, andmakes it easier to preserve the seal between the cylinder and thepiston.

In accordance with a sixth aspect, the bicycle control device accordingto any of the first through fifth aspects is configured so that thecylinder having an open end on a piston side and a closed end on a sideopposite the open end. Also the open end is in a lower position than theclosed end when the bicycle control device is in an installed position.In this aspect, by disposing the open end of the cylinder higher thanthe first axis of the control lever member, it is possible to increasethe efficiency with which the piston is operated relative to thepivoting operation of the control lever member.

In accordance with a seventh aspect, the bicycle control deviceaccording to the sixth aspect is configured so that the closed end ofthe cylinder is sealed shut by a sealing member. In this aspect,machining or forming used to form the cylinder can be performed from theclosed-end side, making the cylinder easier to form.

In accordance with an eighth aspect, the bicycle control deviceaccording to any of the first through seventh aspects is configured sothat the angle formed between the cylinder center axis and the cabletake-up axis is greater than or equal to 25° and less than or equal to40°. In this aspect, the grip part can be formed in a shapeapproximating the cable-type grip of the prior art, preventing the riderfrom experiencing any unfamiliarity.

Also other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosedbicycle control device will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings, discloses one embodiment of the bicyclecontrol device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle control device mounted to aportion of a drop handlebar according to a first embodiment, a sideelevational view of a front portion of a bicycle with a bicycle brakingdevice controlled by the bicycle control device and a schematic view ofa rear derailleur controlled by the bicycle control device;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the bicycle control deviceaccording to the first embodiment with the section taken along alongitudinal center of the reservoir part of the bicycle control device;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the bicycle control device accordingto the first embodiment with the section taken along a longitudinalcenter of the cylinder part of the bicycle control device having thecover thereof removed, and with selected part shown in elevation;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of the bicyclecontrol device, when the bicycle control device is operated to perform abraking operation of the bicycle braking device;

FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal cross sectional view of the bicyclecontrol device according to the first embodiment with the section takenalong a longitudinal center of the housing member of the bicycle brakingdevice to illustrate an upper portion of the control lever member andthe shift-operating mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an end part of the grip part ofthe housing member of the bicycle braking device according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the control lever member and theshift-operating mechanism of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 4, with a portion of the control lever member shown in crosssection for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the first operating lever of thebicycle control device for operating the bicycle braking device and theshift-operating mechanism with the first operating lever shown in fulllines for illustrating the rest position and shown in broken lines forillustrating an operated position to operate the shift-operatingmechanism;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the second operating lever of thebicycle control device for operating the shift-operating mechanism withthe first operating lever shown in full lines for illustrating the restposition and shown in broken lines for illustrating an operated positionto operate the shift-operating mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the shift-operating mechanism ofthe bicycle control device;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a bicycle control device accordingto a first modification of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 3, with the section taken along a longitudinal center of thecylinder part of the bicycle control device, and with selected partshown in elevation;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a bicycle control device accordingto a second modification of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 3, with the section taken along a longitudinal center of thecylinder part of the bicycle control device, and with selected partshown in elevation;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a bicycle control device accordingto a third modification of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 3, with the section taken along a longitudinal center of thecylinder part of the bicycle control device, and with selected partshown in elevation;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a bicycle control device accordingto a fourth modification of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 3, with the section taken along a longitudinal center of thecylinder part of the bicycle control device, and with selected partshown in elevation;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of a bicycle control device accordingto a fifth modification of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 3, with the section taken along a longitudinal center of thecylinder part of the bicycle control device, and with selected partshown in elevation;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of a bicycle control device accordingto a sixth modification of the bicycle control device illustrated inFIG. 3, with the section taken along a longitudinal center of thecylinder part of the bicycle control device, and with selected partshown in elevation; and

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of a bicyclecontrol device according to another embodiment, with the section takenalong a longitudinal center of the cylinder part of the bicycle controldevice, and with selected part shown in elevation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle field fromthis disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a bicycle controldevice 12 that is mounted to a portion of a drop handlebar 13 accordingto a first embodiment. Here, only the bicycle control device 12 on theright side of the drop handlebar 13 is shown in FIG. 1. However, it willbe apparent that the left side of the drop handlebar 13 has a similarbicycle control device that includes the features of the bicycle controldevice 12 as discussed herein.

A shift cable 14 acting as a control cable connects the right bicyclecontrol device 12 to a rear derailleur 15. The shift cable 14 is aBowden cable having an inner cable and an outer casing. A hydraulicfluid pressure hose 16 connects the right bicycle control device 12 to abraking device 18 for braking a front wheel 17. The braking device 18 isa hydraulic fluid pressure disc brake device which is actuated byhydraulic fluid pressure. The braking device 18 includes a brake disc 18a and a caliper 18 b. The brake disc 18 a is fixedly attached in anintegrally manner to a hub 17 a of the front wheel 17 so as to rotatewith the front wheel 17. The caliper 18 b is fixed to a front fork 19 ofthe bicycle. The caliper 18 b brakes or slows the rotation of the frontwheel 17 by squeezing the brake disc 18 a upon being actuated by theright bicycle control device 12. The left control device (not shown) iscoupled to a front derailleur via a shift cable (both not shown), and isalso coupled to a braking device of a rear wheel (not shown), forexample, via a hydraulic fluid pressure hose. The front derailleur andthe rear derailleur 15 are examples of shifting devices. The right-sidecontrol device 12 and the left-side braking device (not shown) aremirror images of one another, and except for having different numbers ofshift positions, the structure and operation of the bicycle controldevices are substantially identical. Thus, only the right-side controldevice 12 will be described and illustrated in detail herein. In thefollowing description, the bicycle control device is referred to simplyas the control device.

Because a majority of the components of the bicycle are conventionallyknown in the relevant art, details relating to the components of thebicycle are not described or illustrated herein, except for componentspertinent to the control device 12 of the present invention.Furthermore, various components of a conventional bicycle notillustrated or described herein, including braking devices, shiftingdevices, sprockets, and the like, can also be used together with thecontrol device 12 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control device 12 has a housing member20, a hydraulic fluid pressure generator 21, a control lever member 22,a shift-operating mechanism 23 (see FIG. 3) and an adjustment mechanism35. The housing member 20 basically has an attachment part 20 a and agrip part 20 b. The attachment part 20 a is capable of being attached toa curved part 13 a that formed in the end of the drop handlebar 13 ofthe bicycle. The grip part 20 b is provided with the attachment part 20a, and is configured to be gripped by a rider during riding. Theattachment part 20 a is a conventionally-known band-shaped member, andthe control device 12 can be fixed to the drop handlebar 13 by fasteningthe attachment part 20 a by a screw.

The grip part 20 b extends longitudinally between a first end 20 c and asecond end 20 d. The grip part 20 b has a main grip body 24 and anelastic cover member 25. The main grip body 24 is made of a syntheticresin such as a polyamide resin or a metal such as aluminum. The elasticcover member 25 has an elastic piece that covers the outside surface ofthe main grip body 24.

The top or upper surface of the main grip body 24 has a downward-curvingshaped surface to facilitate gripping of the grip part 20 b by hand. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main grip body 24 has a first housingsection 24 a (see FIG. 2) provided on the first end 20 c side, a secondhousing section 24 b provided on the second end 20 d side, and a firstbracket 24 c provided between the first housing section 24 a and thesecond housing section 24 b. The first housing section 24 a houses theshift-operating mechanism 23. The second housing section 24 b houses asecond bracket 39, described below, of the control lever member 22. Thehydraulic fluid pressure generator 21 is disposed above the secondhousing section 24 b and aligned with and spaced apart from theshift-operating mechanism 23 in the longitudinal direction. A pair ofleft and right first brackets 24 c is provided that supports both endsof a lever shaft 26 to which the control lever member 22 so as to pivotaround a first axis X1. The lever shaft 26 is disposed in aleft-to-right direction substantially perpendicular to the direction oftravel of the bicycle, and has the first axis X1 as its axis. A curvedrecession 24 d that curves so as to following the curved part 13 a ofthe drop handlebar 13 is formed on the first end 20 c side of the maingrip body 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the hydraulic fluid pressure generator 21is provided in order to provide hydraulic pressure to the braking device18 and cause the braking device 18 to brake. The hydraulic fluidpressure generator 21 includes a cylinder 30, a piston 31, a rod 32 anda reservoir 33 (see FIG. 2). The cylinder 30 is formed in the main gripbody 24. The piston 31 moves linearly within the cylinder 30 (i.e.,reciprocates linearly within the cylinder 30). The rod 32 ismechanically coupled to the piston 31. The reservoir 33 fluidly coupledto the cylinder 30. The hydraulic fluid pressure generator 21 generateshydraulic pressure through the operation of the piston 31 in aninsertion direction of the cylinder 30. The hydraulic fluid pressuregenerator 21 further includes a first hydraulic fluid channel 34 a (seeFIG. 5), an outlet port 34 b (see FIG. 5), a second hydraulic fluidchannel 34 c (see FIG. 5), a connection part 34 d and apiston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A (see FIG. 2).

Preferably, the cylinder 30 is formed integrally with the main grip body24. The cylinder 30 is formed, for example, by cutting or die moldingfrom the second end 20 d side of the main grip body 24. The cylinder 30is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cylinder axis A1. The cylinder30 has a movement space 30 a through which the piston 31 moves. Themovement space 30 a has an open end 30 b on a side near the cylinder 30,and a closed end 30 c on the second end 20 d side opposite the open end30 b. The closed end 30 c is sealed by a first seal member 30 d. Thefirst seal member 30 d has a seal member 30 e for sealing the gap withthe cylinder 30 formed thereby, and is screwed into the closed end 30 c.The closed end 30 c is disposed at a higher position than (i.e., above)the open end 30 b. Thus, the cylinder axis A1 is disposed so as toincline upwards towards the front. An angle of intersection α connectingthe cylinder axis A1 and a cable take-up axis A2 described hereafter,the angle being seen from the side in FIG. 3, is greater than or equalto 20° and less than or equal to 50°. Setting the angle of intersectionα in this range allows increases in the size of the grip part 20 b to beminimized even if the cylinder 30 is disposed inclined toward the cabletake-up axis A2. In the present embodiment, the angle of intersection αis approximately 30°. The cylinder axis A1 is located in front of thecable take-up axis A2 in a left-to-right direction perpendicular withthe plane of the drawing in FIG. 3 (i.e., to the left of the cabletake-up axis A2), and does not intersect therewith in a plane view.

The piston 31 is a substantially cylindrical member. The piston 31 has afirst seal member 31 a and a second seal member 31 b installed on theouter circumferential surface of the piston 31 on both ends thereof. Thefirst seal member 31 a and the second seal member 31 b have, forexample, an O-ring shape. The first seal member 31 a and the second sealmember 31 b are provided in order to seal the gap between the innercircumferential surface of the movement space 30 a of the cylinder 30and the outer circumferential surface of the piston 31. It is alsoacceptable for there to be only one seal member. The piston 31 moveswithin the movement space 30 a between a first position, shown in FIG.3, at the distal end of the cylinder 30 and a second position, shown inFIG. 4, located deeper within than the first position in response to abraking operation performed by the brake lever member 22. The piston 31is biased towards the first position by a first return spring 42 a.

The rod part 32 withdraws in the cylinder 30 in response to an operationof the brake lever member 22 in the braking direction. The rod part 32is coupled to the piston 31 so as to freely pivot around an axissubstantially parallel to the first axis X1. The rod part 32 has a rodbody 32 a, a dual-peaked clevis pin 32 b mounted on a tip of the rodbody 32 a, a rotational shaft 32 c inserted in the clevis pin 32 b, anda pair of left and right rollers 32 d attached to the rotational shaft32 c so as to be freely rotatable. The left and right rollers 32 d aredisposed apart from each other by a distance of 1.5 to 2.5 times thediameter of the roller part 32 d. The rod body 32 a is a rod-shapedmember. The rod body 32 a has a cylinder insertion end 32 e engagingwith the piston 31. The cylinder insertion end 32 e is a partial spherehaving a greater diameter than the rest of the rod body 32 a. Thus, inthe present embodiment, the rod part 32 freely pivots with respect tothe cylinder 30 on an axis parallel to the second axis X2. The two endsof the rotational shaft 32 c engage with a pair of guide grooves 24 eprovided in the main grip body 24. The guide grooves 24 e have a firstpart 24 f disposed along the cylinder axis A1 and a second part 24 gbending upward from the first part 24 f. The roller part 32 d isdepressed by a cam member 41, described hereafter. The cam member 41 isprovided on the brake lever member 22. Thus, when the roller part 32 dis depressed by the cam member 41, the rotational shaft 32 c at thedistal end of the rod part 32 gradually approaches cylinder axis A1. Theangle formed by the rod part 32 and the cylinder axis A1 therebygradually decreases, facilitating the movement of the piston 31 withinthe cylinder 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reservoir 33 is capable of storing hydraulicfluid for generating hydraulic pressure. The reservoir 33 is provided sothat the necessary amount of hydraulic fluid can be injected from thereservoir 33 even if the friction material (for example, a brake pad) ofthe braking device 18 becomes worn, which as a result may require largeamounts of hydraulic fluid. Also, the reservoir 33 preventsinconsistencies in the pressure being applied to the braking device 18due to swelling and contraction caused by changes in the temperature ofthe hydraulic fluid. The reservoir 33 is formed in a cylindrical shapehaving a reservoir axis A3. The reservoir 33 is provided in the grippart 20 b spaced apart from and aligned with the cylinder 30 in aleft-to-right direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Thereservoir axis A3 is essentially parallel with the cylinder axis A1, andat essentially the same height. Thus, the reservoir 33 is formed to theinterior of the cylinder 30 at the same inclination as the cylinder 30in a right-to-left direction perpendicular with the surface of thedrawing in FIG. 2. The reservoir 33 inclines upward and forward on thesecond end side of the main grip body 24. The reservoir 33 has a firstend-side first closed end 33 b and a second end-side second closed end33 c. At least one of the first closed end 33 b or the second closed end33 c is sealed by a second seal member 33 a which is detachablyinstalled in the reservoir 33. In the present embodiment, the secondend-side second closed end 33 c is sealed by the second seal member 33a. The second seal member 33 a is fixed in the reservoir via suitablemeans, such as bonding, pressure injection, screws, or the like. Asshown in FIG. 6, the reservoir 33 has a hydraulic fluid injection hole33 d opening on a side surface capable of being opposed to the firsthydraulic fluid channel 34 a on the second end 20 d of the main gripbody 24. The hydraulic fluid injection hole 33 d is sealed by ahydraulic fluid injection cap 33 e detachably installed on the end ofthe hydraulic fluid injection hole 33 d.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first hydraulic fluid channel 34 a is providedin order to fluidly connect the cylinder 30 and the reservoir 33. Thefirst hydraulic fluid channel 34 a is disposed closer to the second end20 d than is the first seal member 31 a to the second end 20 d when thepiston 31 is disposed in the first position. The first hydraulic fluidchannel 34 a is disposed closer to the rod part 32 than is the firstseal member 31 a to the rod part 32 when the piston 31 is disposed inthe second position. In the present embodiment, the first hydraulicfluid channel 34 a is oppositely disposed with respect to the hydraulicfluid injection hole 33 d. The first hydraulic fluid channel 34 a isconstituted by a plurality of holes (for example, three holes) of asmaller diameter than the hydraulic fluid injection hole 33 d so as tobe formable via the hydraulic fluid injection hole 33 d.

The outlet port 34 b serves to convey hydraulic pressure generated inthe cylinder 30 to the exterior. When the piston 31 is disposed in thesecond position, the outlet port 34 b is disposed closer to the secondend 20 d than the first seal member 31 a. The outlet port 34 b is formedpenetrating the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 30 and theside surface of the main grip body 24. The side surface-penetrating partof the outlet port 34 b is sealed by a plug 34 g.

The second hydraulic fluid channel 34 c is coupled to the outlet port 34b. The second hydraulic fluid channel 34 c communicates with the outletport 34 b and extends bending toward the first end 20 c. The secondhydraulic fluid channel 34 c is constituted by a hydraulic pressure tube34 f that is disposed within a tube hole 34 e. The tube hole 34 eextends from the first end 20 c and the second end 20 d. The upper partof the main grip body 24 curves in a downward recession. Thus, thesecond hydraulic fluid channel 34 c is arranged to define asubstantially flattened V shape.

The connection part 34 d is connected to the second hydraulic fluidchannel 34 c. The connection part 34 d communicates with the outlet port34 b via the second hydraulic fluid channel 34 c. The connection part 34d is connectable with the exterior hydraulic pressure hose 16 (see FIG.1), which is capable of being coupled to the braking device 18. As seenin FIG. 2, the connection part 34 d is disposed adjacent to side of thesecond hydraulic fluid channel 34 c that is located at the first end 20c, i.e., the connection part 34 d is disposed adjacent to the first end20 c of the housing member 20.

In the present embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 35 has apiston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A capable of adjusting the initialposition of the piston with respect to the cylinder, and a control leverposition adjustment mechanism 35B capable of adjusting the initialposition of the control lever with respect to the housing.

The piston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A has a function of adjustingthe first position of the piston 31 with respect to the cylinder 30 (anexample of the initial position of the piston 31). Thepiston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A also has a function of actuatingthe piston 31 while coupled to the first operating lever 36 and a cammember 41 described hereafter. The piston-position-adjusting mechanism35A has an adjustment member 35 a for coupling a first operating lever36, described hereafter, of the control lever member 22 and the cammember 41, also described hereafter. The adjustment member 35 a is anexample of a first adjustment member. The adjustment member 35 a has anadjustment bolt 35 b penetrating a support shaft 40, describedhereafter, of the first operating lever 36. Here, the adjustment bolt 35b is an example of a first adjustment bolt.

A proximal head of the adjustment bolt 35 b catches on a through-hole 40a of the support shaft 40. A distal end of the adjustment bolt 35 b isscrewed into a coupler shaft 38 provided on the cam member 41, describedhereafter, of the control lever member 22. The initial position of thecam member 41 with respect to the first axis X1 can thus be adjusted,allowing the first position of the piston 31 to be adjusted. The secondbracket 39 and the cam member 41 are coupled by the adjustment bolt 35b, and the cam member 41 rotates in response to the pivoting of thefirst operating lever 36 around the first axis. Thus, the adjustmentbolt 35 b has a function of adjusting the first position of the piston31 and a function of coupling the first control lever member 22 to thecam member 41.

The control lever position adjustment mechanism 35B has a basicconfiguration similar to that of the piston-position-adjusting mechanism35A. The control lever position adjustment mechanism 35B has a functionof adjusting the first position of the first control lever member 22with respect to the housing member 20 (an example of the initialposition of the control lever member 22). The control lever positionadjustment mechanism 35B has a function of actuating the piston 31 whilecoupled to the first operating lever 36. The control lever positionadjustment mechanism 35B has a cam member 41 described hereafter. Thepiston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A has an adjustment member 35 afor coupling a first operating lever 36, described hereafter, of thecontrol lever member 22 to the cam member 41, also described hereafter.Here, the adjustment member 35 a is an example of a third adjustmentmember, and the adjustment bolt 35 b is an example of a third adjustmentbolt. The adjustment member 35 a has an adjustment bolt 35 b penetratinga support shaft 40, described hereafter, of the first operating lever36. A proximal head of the adjustment bolt 35 b catches on athrough-hole 40 a of the support shaft 40. A distal end of theadjustment bolt 35 b is screwed into a coupler shaft 38 provided on thecam member 41, described hereafter, of the control lever member 22. Itis thus possible to adjust the initial position of the control levermember 22 with respect to the first axis X1, as well as the firstposition of the control lever member 22, i.e., the control lever member22. The second bracket 39 and the cam member 41 are coupled by theadjustment bolt 35 b. The cam member 41 rotates in response to thepivoting of the first operating lever 36 around the first axis X1. Thus,the adjustment bolt 35 b has a function of adjusting the first positionof the first operating lever 36 and of coupling the first control levermember 22 and the cam member 41.

Moreover, the adjustment mechanism 35 has a configuration similar tothat the piston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A and the control leverposition adjustment mechanism 35B. Thus, by coupling the second bracket39, the cam member 41 and the first operating lever 36, the adjustmentbolt 35 b has a function of adjusting the first position of the piston31, a function of adjusting the first position of the first operatinglever 36 and a function of coupling the first control lever member 22and the cam member 41. Here, the adjustment member 35 a is an example ofa fourth adjustment member, and the adjustment bolt 35 b is an exampleof a fifth adjustment bolt.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the control lever member 22 includes thefirst operating lever 36, the second operating lever 37 and the cammember 41. The first operating lever 36 has a support member 36 a and alever 36 b coupled to the support member 36 a so as to pivot around asecond axis X2. The support member 36 a is coupled to the lever shaft 26disposed on the housing member 20 so as to pivot around the first axisX1. The support member 36 a pivots around the first axis X1 from a firstinitial position shown in FIG. 2 to a pivoting position shown in FIG. 4.As shown in FIG. 7, the support member 36 a is biased towards the firstinitial position by a second return spring 42 b in the form of a coilspring. The second return spring 42 b is coiled around the lever shaft26. One end of the second return spring 42 b engages with the firstbracket 24 c of the main grip body 24, and another end engages with oneof a pair of side plates 39 c of the support member 36 a, describedhereafter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 36 a has a second bracket 39 anda flanged hollow support shaft 40. The second bracket 39 is formed byfolding a sheet of metal front to back and left to right. The flangedhollow support shaft 40 is supported by the second bracket 39. Thesecond bracket 39 has a substantially rectangle base 39 a, a pair offront and back support plates 39 b and a pair of left and right sideplates 39 c. The front and back support plates 39 b are formed byfolding the front and back ends of the base 39 a downwards in parallel.The left and right side plates 39 c are formed by folding the left andright ends of the base 39 a downwards in parallel. The two ends of thesupport shaft 40 are supported by the support plates 39 b. The sideplates 39 c extend backwards from the base 39 a and are supported by thelever shaft 26 so as to freely pivot around the first axis X1. Thesupport shaft 40 is disposed along a direction not parallel with thefirst axis X1 (for example, a counter direction), i.e., along a secondaxis X2 substantially parallel with the direction of travel of thebicycle. The support shaft 40 is disposed above the lever shaft 26. Thesupport shaft 40 is mounted to the support plates 39 b of the supportmember 36 a by a nut 43 that screws onto an end of the support shaft 40.As described above, the adjustment bolt 35 b is disposed penetrating thesupport shaft 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the lever 36 b is coupled, along with thesupport member 36 a, to the lever shaft 26 so as to freely pivot aroundthe first axis X1. Also the lever 36 b is coupled, along with thesupport member 36 a, to the support shaft 40 so as to pivot around thesecond axis X2. The lever 36 b is provided in order to perform brakingoperations and shifting operations in one direction of the rearderailleur 15. The lever 36 b is controllably coupled to theshift-operating mechanism 23 so as to pivot around the second axis X2,thereby operating a cable take-up member 50, described hereafter, of theshift-operating mechanism 23 and taking up, i.e., pulling the shiftcable 14, so as to upshift (or downshift) the rear derailleur 15. Inaddition, the pivoting of the lever 36 b around the first axis X1generates hydraulic pressure, thereby causing the braking device 18 toapply a braking force.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 36 b has an insertion end part 36 c, ashift operation part 36 d and a free end part 36 e. The lever 36 b has acontact part 36 f provided between the insertion end part 36 c and theshift operation part 36 d. The contact part 36 f is capable ofcontacting the second operating lever 37 when the first operating lever36 is operated from a second initial position to a first shift position.The second operating lever 37 can thus be pivoted together with thefirst operating lever 36. As shown in FIG. 8, the lever 36 b movesaround the second axis X2 between the second initial position, indicatedby solid lines, and the first shift position, indicated by double dotteddashed lines. The insertion end part 36 c is rotatably coupled to thesupport shaft 40. The shift operation part 36 d extends downward from anend part of the housing member 20. The lever 36 b is an example of atake-up lever. The lever 36 b is biased towards the second initialposition by a third return spring 45 coiled around the support shaft 40.One end of the third return spring 45 engages with the insertion endpart 36 c, and another end engages with a pair of bases 39 a of thesupport member 36 a.

In the present embodiment, the second operating lever 37 is coupled toan end of the support shaft 40 so as to freely pivot around the secondaxis X2, and is provided in order to perform shifting operations in theother direction of the rear derailleur 15. The second operating lever 37is controllably coupled to the shift-operating mechanism 23 so as tooperate the cable take-up member 50 and unwind, i.e., release the shiftcable 14, thereby downshifting or upshifting the rear derailleur 15.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second operating lever 37 moves around thesecond axis X2 between a third initial position, indicated by solidlines, and a second shift position, indicated by double dotted dashedlines. The second operating lever 37 is rotatably attached to an end ofthe support shaft 40 so as to freely rotate around the second axis X2.As described above, the second operating lever 37 is controllablycoupled to the shift-operating mechanism 23 so as to release the shiftcable 14. The second operating lever 37 is an example of a releaseoperating lever. The second operating lever 37 is biased towards thethird initial position by a fourth return spring 46 (see FIG. 2)disposed between the support shaft 40 and the cam member 41. One end ofthe fourth return spring 46 engages with the insertion end of the secondoperating lever 37, and another end engages with the main grip body 24.

In the present embodiment, the shift-operating mechanism 23 is operatedessentially by rotating the first operating lever 36 around the secondaxis X2 of the support shaft 40, or by rotating the second operatinglever 37 around the second axis X2 of the support shaft 40.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cam member 41 is provided so as to pivot aroundthe first axis X1 and actuate the rod part 32 of the hydraulic fluidpressure generator 21 in response to the pivoting of the first operatinglever 36 around the first axis X1. The cam member 41 has a pair of leftand right cam plates 41 a, and a coupling part 41 b. The coupling part41 b is integrally formed with the pair of cam plates 41 a for couplingthe cam plates 41 a. The cam plates 41 a are disposed spaced apart fromeach other in the left-to-right direction with the same distancetherebetween as between the pair of rollers 32 d. The cam plates 41 ahas a through-hole 41 c through which the lever shaft 26 can penetrate,a coupling hole 41 d, and a cam surface 41 e contacted by the rollers 32d. The through-hole 41 c is formed on the lower part of the cam member41. The coupling hole 41 d is formed above the through-hole 41 c. Thecoupling hole 41 d supports a coupler shaft 38 for coupling to the firstoperating lever 36 via the piston-position-adjusting mechanism 35A. Thecoupling hole 41 d is formed in a slightly elliptical shape so that thecoupler shaft 38 is capable of movement in a direction connecting thecoupling hole 41 d and the through-hole 41 c when the cam member 41pivots. In the embodiment, the cam surface 41 e has a curved recessionformed therein so that, when the cam member 41 pivots, the degree ofmovement of the piston 31 in response to the rotation of the cam member41 varies. Specifically, so that the degree of movement increases duringan initial rotation period, and decreases after rotation has progressed.This allows for braking to take effect within a short period of time,and for the easy adjustment of braking force once braking has takeneffect.

The cam member 41 is coupled to the lever shaft 26 penetrating thethrough-hole 41 c so as to pivot around the first axis X1. A screw hole38 a into which the adjustment bolt 35 b is screwed is formed in thecoupler shaft 38 in a central part of the axial direction. The cammember 41 is biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 by the secondreturn spring 42 b (see FIG. 7) that is provided on the lever shaft 26.The cam member is also biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 bythe first return spring 42 a.

The shift-operating mechanism 23 will be briefly described withreferences to FIGS. 7-10. However, the shift-operating mechanism 23 isnot limited to the structure described herein. A shift-operatingmechanism of a different configuration can be used for theaforementioned control lever member 22 having the first operating lever36 and the second operating lever 37. The shift-operating mechanism 23is attached to a first end 29 c side of the main grip body 24 of thehousing member 20. The shift-operating mechanism 23 has a cable take-upmember 50, a first input member 52, a second input member 54, and apositioning mechanism 56. The center of a cable take-up shaft 51extending in the longitudinal direction of the grip part 20 b is definedas the cable take-up axis A2. In the present embodiment, the cabletake-up axis A2 is coaxial with the second axis X2.

An inner cable of the shift cable 14 is coiled around the cable take-upmember 50. The cable take-up member 50 is attached to the cable take-upshaft 51 so as to freely rotate around the cable take-up axis A2. Thecable take-up member 50 is biased in a cable unwinding direction by areturn spring not shown in the drawings. Specifically, the return springapplies a biasing force to the cable take-up member 50 so as to rotatein the cable unwinding direction. The cable take-up member 50 has asubstantially cylindrical shape having a cable attachment part 50 acapable of attaching to a nipple (not shown) mounted on an end of theinner cable of the shift cable 14. When the first operating lever 36 isoperated from the second initial position towards the first shiftposition, the cable take-up member 50 rotates around the cable take-upaxis A2 in a first rotational direction R1 (see FIG. 10) and takes upthe inner cable. When the second operating lever 37 is operated from thethird initial position towards the second shift position, the cabletake-up member 50 rotates around the cable take-up axis A2 in a secondrotational direction R2 (see FIG. 10) and reels out the inner cable.

The first input member 52 and the second input member 54 areindependently coupled to the first operating lever 36 and the secondoperating lever 37 so as to allow a shifting operation to be performed.The first input member 52 pivots around the cable take-up axis A2 inresponse to the pivoting of the first operating lever 36 around thesecond axis X2. As shown in FIG. 7, an end of the first input member 52is capable of contacting the contact part 36 f of the lever 36 b. Thus,when the first operating lever 36 is pivoted around the second axis X2from the second initial position to the first shift position, the firstinput member 52 pivots around the cable take-up axis A2.

The second input member 54 pivots around the cable take-up axis A2 inresponse to the pivoting of the second operating lever 37 around thesecond axis X2. An end of the second input member 54 is capable ofcontacting an intermediate part of the second operating lever 37. Thus,when the second operating lever 37 is pivoted around the second axis X2from the third initial position to the second shift position, the secondinput member 54 pivots around the cable take-up axis A2.

The positioning mechanism 56 is a mechanism for determining therotational position of the cable take-up member 50 according to the gearshift lever. The positioning mechanism 56 has a take-up pawl 58, arelease pawl 60, a take-up plate 62, a release plate 62, a positioningpawl 66, a detent pawl 68, and a positioning plate 70. The take-up pawl58 is pivotally provided on the first input member 52. The take-up pawl58 pivots together with the first input member 52 when the firstoperating lever 36 is operated from the second initial position towardsthe first shift position. The take-up pawl 58 thus urges the cabletake-up member against the biasing force of the return spring androtates the cable take-up member 50 in the first rotational directionR1.

The release pawl 60 is pivotally provided on the second input member 54.The release pawl 60 pivots together with the second input member 54 whenthe second operating lever 37 is operated from the third initialposition towards the second shift position. The release pawl 60 isthereby detached from the cable take-up member 50, and the cable take-upmember 50 is rotated in the second rotational direction R2 by thebiasing force of the return spring.

The take-up plate 62 and the positioning plate 70 are attached to thecable take-up member 50, and rotate integrally with the cable take-upmember 50. The take-up plate 62 has a plurality of take-up cogs. Thetake-up cogs selectively engage with the take-up pawl 58. The cabletake-up member 50 thus rotates in the first rotational direction R1.

The positioning plate 70 has a plurality of positioning cogs. Thepositioning cogs selectively engage with the positioning pawl 66. Thecable take-up member 50 is thereby kept at a predetermined shiftposition after either a take-up operation by the first operating lever36 or a release operation by the second operating lever 37.

The release plate 62 is rotated by the release pawl 60 in the firstrotational direction R1 so that the positioning pawl 66 and the detentpawl 68 selectively engage and disengage with the release plate 62 fromthe positioning plate 70 so as to rotate the cable take-up member 50 inthe second rotational direction R2.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, a rider can rotate the firstoperating lever 36 from a first initial position to a braking positionwhile grasping the drop handlebar 13 or the curved part of the grip part20 b. The first operating lever 36 rotates around the first axis X1. Therotation of the first operating lever 36 causes the piston 31 of thehydraulic fluid pressure generator 21 to be depressed, generatinghydraulic pressure within the cylinder 30, and the hydraulic pressureactivates the braking device 18, braking the bicycle.

The first operating lever 36 is capable of rotating around the secondaxis X2 and pivoting sideways from the second initial position to ashift position in order, for example, to downshift the rear derailleur15 into a lower gear. When released, the first operating lever 36 isreturned to the second initial position by the biasing force of thethird return spring 45. The second operating lever 37 is capable ofpivoting sideways from a resting position in order, for example, toupshift to a higher gear, and, when released, is returned to the thirdinitial position by the biasing force of the fourth return spring 46.

When the first operating lever 36 is pivoted in order to shift gears,the second operating lever 37 pivots along with the first operatinglever 36 instead of moving in opposition to the first operating lever36. The first operating lever 36 is thus capable of pivoting withoutbeing impeded by the second operating lever 37.

While grasping the lowest position of the curved part of the drophandlebar 13, a rider can, for example, extend the middle finger or ringfinger of the hand grasping the curved part, place the finger on thefirst operating lever 36, and pull the first operating lever 36 to abraking position, i.e., towards the curved part 13 a. This operation ofthe lever causes the shift-operating mechanism 23 to rotate around thefirst axis X1 with the support member 36 a. This rotational movement ofthe first operating lever 36 generates hydraulic pressure, braking thebicycle.

First Modification

In the following description, only those features differing from theembodiment described above are described and numbered in the drawings,and description of the configuration and operation of other featuressimilar to those of the embodiment described above, as well as numberingthereof in the drawings, will be omitted.

In the embodiment described above, the second axis X2 and the cabletake-up axis A2 were coaxial, but the present invention is not limitedto such a configuration. As shown in FIG. 11, the second axis X2 and thecable take-up axis A2 can be on different axes in a control device 112.In FIG. 11, the cable take-up axis A2 of a shift-operating mechanism 123is disposed below the second axis X2 of a control lever member 122. Thecable take-up axis A2 and the second axis X2 may also be disposed so asto intersect.

Second Modification

In the embodiment described above, the adjustment bolt 35 b of theadjustment mechanism 35 (i.e., the piston-position-adjusting mechanism35A and the control lever position adjustment mechanism 35B) is disposedpenetrating the support shaft 40 along the second axis X2, but thepresent invention is not limited to such a configuration. In a controldevice 212 according to a second modification, as shown in FIG. 12, anadjustment bolt 235 b (an example of a second adjustment bolt, a fourthadjustment bolt, or a sixth adjustment bolt) serving as an adjustmentmember 235 a (an example of a second adjustment member or a fourthadjustment member) of an adjustment mechanism 235 (constituted by apiston-position-adjusting mechanism 235A and a control lever positionadjustment mechanism 235B) is disposed near a lever shaft 26 having afirst axis X1. The adjustment bolt 235 b is screwed into a screw hole236 g formed in the lever 36 b, and an end thereof contacts a couplingpart 241 b of a cam member 241. The second initial position of a firstoperating lever 236 is thus altered and the position of a piston 31moves into the cylinder 30. The cam member 241 is biased in theclockwise direction in FIG. 12 by a first return spring 42 a disposed onthe cylinder 30. Here, there is no need for an adjustment boltpenetrating the interior of the support shaft 40 and coupling the secondbracket 39 and the cam member 241. The support member and the cam membermay also be integrally formed. In such a case, there is also no need foran adjustment bolt penetrating the support member.

Third Modification

In a control device 312 according to a third modification, as shown inFIG. 13, an adjustment member 335 a (an example of a first adjustmentmember) of an adjustment mechanism 335 (constituted by apiston-position-adjusting mechanism 335A and a control lever positionadjustment mechanism 335B) is constituted by a worm gear bolt 335 battached to a cam member 341. The worm gear bolt 335 b has worm gearcogs 335 c formed on an outer circumferential surface. Worm wheel cogs339 d meshing with the worm gear cogs 335 c are formed on one of a pairof side plates 339 c of a first bracket 339 of a support member 336 a.In this case, the adjustment bolt of the embodiment described above isused as a coupling bolt for coupling a second bracket 339 of the controllever member 22 and a cam member 341.

Fourth Modification

In a control device 412 according to a fourth modification, as shown inFIG. 14, an adjustment mechanism 435 (constituted by apiston-position-adjusting mechanism 435A or a control lever positionadjustment mechanism 435B) has an adjustment member 435 a, capable ofadjusting the relative positions of a control lever member 422 and apiston, and adapted for coupling the piston 31 and the control levermember 422. The adjustment member 435 a is an example of a secondadjustment member. Specifically, the piston 31 is coupled to a secondbracket 439 of a support member 436 a of a control lever member 422 viaa rod part 432. Therefore, a cam member is not provided.

The rod part 432 does not have a roller, and side plates 439 c of asecond bracket 439 are pivotably coupled to a clevis pin 432 b. A rodbody 432 a, has a first rod body 432 e coupled to the cylinder 30, and asecond rod body 432 f disposed spaced apart from the first rod body 432e. The clevis pin 432 b is disposed on the second rod body 432 f. Theadjustment member 435 a has an adjustment screw 435 b that screws intothe first rod body 432 e and the second rod body 432 f and adjusts thelength of the rod part 432. The rotation of the first rod body 432 earound an axis is restricted.

The adjustment screw 435 b has a first male screw 435 c, a second malescrew 435 d and a rotatably operated noncircular grip part 435 e. Thefirst male screw 435 c screws into the first rod body 432 e. The secondmale screw 435 d screws into the second rod body 432 f. The rotatablyoperated noncircular grip part 435 e is disposed between the first malescrew 435 c and the second male screw 435 d. The rotatably operatednoncircular grip part 435 e can have, for example, a hexagonal shape.The first male screw 435 c is, for example, a right-handed screw, andthe second male screw 435 d is, for example, a left-handed screw.

In the adjustment mechanism 435 (the piston-position-adjusting mechanism435A or the control lever position adjustment mechanism 435B) having theconfiguration described above, the first rod body 432 e and the secondrod body 432 f move toward each other, shortening the rod part 432, whenthe grip part 435 e is turned by hand or using a tool in a firstdirection (for example, in a clockwise direction towards the piston).The first position of the piston 31 is thereby moved backwards (to theright in FIG. 14). When the grip part 435 e is turned by hand or using atool in a second direction, the first rod body 432 e and the second rodbody 432 f move away from each other, lengthening the rod part 432. Thefirst position of the piston 31 is thereby moved forwards (to the leftin FIG. 14). This configuration also allows the first position of thepiston 31 to be adjusted.

In the fourth modification, the piston-position-adjusting mechanism 435Aor control lever position adjustment mechanism 435B is realizedaccording to the magnitude of the biasing force of the first returnspring 42 a biasing the piston towards the first position and the secondreturn spring 42 b returning a control lever member 422 to the firstinitial position. Typically, the piston-position-adjusting mechanism435A will be realized due to the larger magnitude of the biasing forceof the second return spring 42 b. If the biasing force of the secondreturn spring 42 b is less that the biasing force of the first returnspring 42 a, the control lever position adjustment mechanism 435B willbe realized.

Fifth Modification

In a control device 512, as shown in FIG. 15, a second operating lever537 of a control lever member 522 has a take-up operating lever 537 aand a release operating lever 537 b. A first operating lever 536 pivotsonly around a first axis X1, and does not pivot around a second axis X2.The pivoting of the take-up operating lever 537 a around the second axisX2 pivots the first input member 52, actuating the cable take-up member50 in a take-up direction. The pivoting of the release operating lever537 b around the second axis X2 pivots the second input member 54,actuating the cable take-up member 50 in a release direction oppositethe take-up direction.

Sixth Modification

In a control device 612, as shown in FIG. 16, a second operating lever637 of a control lever member 622 pivots not around the second axis X2,but around a third axis X3 of a support shaft 670 disposed on a firstoperating lever 636 further towards a distal end than the second axisX2. The support shaft 670 is mounted to a first operating lever 636.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but thepresent invention is not limited to these embodiments; variousmodifications are possible to the extent that they remain within thespirit of the invention. In particular, the various embodiments andmodifications described in the present specification can be combinedaccording to discretion as necessary.

(a) In the first and second embodiments, a disk-brake device is given asan example of a braking device capable of being operated using hydraulicpressure, but the braking devices controlled by the present inventionare not limited to a disk-brake device. The present invention isapplicable to a control device for controlling any bicycle brakingdevice capable of being operated using hydraulic pressure. For example,the present invention is also applicable to a bicycle control device forcontrolling a braking device such as a caliper brake or a drum brakeoperated using hydraulic pressure.

(b) In the embodiment described above, a reservoir for storing hydraulicfluid for generating hydraulic pressure is provided, allowing hydraulicfluid to be injected into the cylinder when the level of hydraulic fluidin the cylinder decreases, and suppressing changes in brakingcharacteristics regardless of changes in hydraulic fluid temperature,but the present invention can also be applied to a bicycle controldevice not having a reservoir.

(c) In the hydraulic fluid pressure generator 21 of the embodimentdescribed above, hydraulic pressure is generated by pressing the piston31, i.e., moving the piston 31 into the cylinder 30, but the presentinvention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, hydraulicpressure may be generated by pulling on the piston, i.e., drawing thepiston out of the cylinder. In such a case, the pulling force acts onlyupon the rod part serving as a coupling part for the piston and thefirst operating lever. This prevents buckling from occurring in the rodpart, allows the rigidity of the coupling part to be reduced, anddecreases the weight of the rod part. However, in such a case, a forceequivalent to the hydraulic pressure multiplied by the area of the rodsubtracted from the area of the cylinder of the rod is generated,requiring a cylinder having a greater diameter than that of theembodiment described above.

(d) In the embodiment described above, an end of the first return spring42 a contacts an end surface of the piston 31, but, as shown in FIG. 17,an end of a first return spring 742 a may be housed within a housinghole 731 a that is formed in a piston 731. This enables a space forhousing the spring when the piston 731 returns to the second position tobe easily ensured. A heightened degree of freedom in designing thespring is thus obtained.

(e) In the embodiment described above, the control lever member 22 isconstituted by a first operating lever 36 for performing brakingoperations and shifting operations, and a second operating lever 37 forperforming shifting operations. However, it is also acceptable to adopta configuration in which a braking operation is performed by pivotingone operating lever around the first axis, a first shifting operation(for example, a downshift operation) is performed by pivoting the leverin one direction around a second axis, and a second shifting operation(for example, an upshift operation) is performed by pivoting the leverin the other direction around the second axis.

(f) In the embodiment described above, a first return spring 42 a and asecond return spring 42 b are provided on the first operating lever 36and the hydraulic fluid pressure generator 21, but it is also acceptableto provide only a first return spring 42 a. If a cam member and a rollerare not provided and the second bracket is directly coupled to the rodpart, it is acceptable to provide only one of the first return spring orthe second return spring.

(g) In the embodiment described above, a hydraulic pressure tube 34 f isused as the second hydraulic fluid channel 34 c in FIG. 5, but aninterior hydraulic pressure hose 34 h passing through the tube hole 34 eor between the cover member 25 and the main grip body 24 may also beused. It is also possible to form a hole in the grip part 20 b forcreating a second hydraulic fluid channel. In such cases, the end of thehole must be sealed by a plug.

As used herein, the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”,“front”, “rear”, “up”, “down”, “above”. “below”, “upward”, “downward”,“top”, “bottom”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “perpendicular” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a bicycle in an upright, riding position andequipped with the control device 12. Accordingly, these directionalterms, as utilized to describe the control device 12 should beinterpreted relative to a bicycle in an upright riding position on ahorizontal surface and that is equipped with the bicycle control device12. The terms “left” and “right” are used to indicate the “right” whenreferencing from the right side as viewed from the rear of the bicycle,and the “left” when referencing from the left side as viewed from therear of the bicycle. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”,“about” and “approximately” as used herein mean an amount of deviationof the modified term such that the end result is not significantlychanged. These terms can be construed as including a deviation of ±5% ofthe modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of theword it modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle control device comprising: a housingmember having an attachment part configured to be attached to ahandlebar, and a grip part extending longitudinally between a first endof the grip part and a second end of the grip part, the attachment partbeing provided on the first end of the grip part; a control lever memberpivotally provided with respect to the housing member; a shift-operatingmechanism provided in the housing member, the shift-operating mechanismincluding a cable take-up member rotatably mounted around a cabletake-up axis, the cable take-up member having a control cable attachmentpart that is configured to be coupled to a shifting device by a controlcable; and a hydraulic fluid pressure generator having a cylinder and apiston movably disposed within the cylinder by movement of the controllever member to generate fluid pressure for controlling a brakingdevice, the cylinder being disposed in the housing member at a positioncloser toward the second end of the grip part than is theshift-operating mechanism to the second end of the grip part, thecylinder defining a cylinder axis that forms an angle of greater than orequal to 20° and less than or equal to 50° with the cable take-up axis.2. The bicycle control device according to claim 1, wherein the controllever member includes a first operating lever that pivots around a firstaxis relative to the housing member for operating the piston, and asecond operating lever that pivots around a second axis for operatingthe cable take-up member of the shift-operating mechanism, the secondaxis being different from the first axis relative to the housing member.3. The bicycle control device according to claim 2, wherein the cabletake-up axis and the second axis are coaxial.
 4. The bicycle controldevice according to claim 2, wherein the cable take-up axis and thesecond axis are non-coaxial axes.
 5. The bicycle control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the cylinder has a cylindrical shapedefining a cylinder axis.
 6. The bicycle control device according toclaim 1, wherein the cylinder having an open end on a piston side and aclosed end on a side opposite the open end, the open end being in alower position than the closed end when the bicycle control device is inan installed position.
 7. The bicycle control device according to claim6, wherein the closed end of the cylinder is scaled shut by a sealingmember.
 8. The bicycle control device according to claim 1, wherein theangle formed between the cylinder center axis and the cable take-up axisis greater than or equal to 25° and less than or equal to 40°.